The 12th annual California Strawberry Festival begins...

The 12th annual California Strawberry Festival begins today in Oxnard. A diverse group of musical acts and arts and crafts vendors will be present. And of course, there will be plenty of strawberries to consume.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday at the Strawberry Meadows at College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave.

Parking is free. Anyone who wants a decent parking spot should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m., because tens of thousands of people are expected to cram the festival grounds.

The fields are a few hundred yards from the festival, so be prepared to hoof it.

The following route is suggested by the organizers:

From the Ventura Freeway, exit at Victoria Avenue and drive south into Oxnard. Turn left at Channel Islands Boulevard. Turn right at Rose Avenue and park at one of the surrounding fields.

But those looking to avoid the masses, and those coming from Thousand Oaks and the east county should take the back route:

Exit the Ventura Freeway at Rice Avenue and head south into Oxnard. Make a left onto Pleasant Valley Road. Make a right onto Rose Avenue, drive past the festival grounds and park at one of the adjoining fields.

Admission is $6 for adults, and $4 for children 12 and under and seniors 55 and over.

The weather is expected to be pleasant today and Sunday, with morning clouds clearing up by afternoon. Highs are expected to be in the mid-70s today and low 70s Sunday.